It has been a crazy few weeks, but hopefully now the worst is behind us things should start to quieten down. After completing our OFT we had a short but well deserved break alongside. It was really good to get the opportunity to get up the road and get back to a semblance of normality. First night in, we had a really pleasant night up the Cove with some good company. I have always liked the Cove, especially when the weather is mild and it is possible to sit outside and watch the sun come down over Chesil beach.
The peace was soon crushed as we embarked hospital staff in preparation for supporting a medical exercise. Overnight our complement doubled and the ship noticeably sunk down under the weight of gold braid. It seemed every other person was either a Surg Cdr or Surg Capt. The exercise has really kept me on my toes as I have tried to ensure the ship’s programme and requirements mesh with the hospitals requirements. In addition ensuring all the scenarios tie in has been interesting to say the least. As chaotic and horrible as the last few days have been we are now at the end of the validation process and everyone seems to be happy with the progress, which is good.
One of the nightmares has been ensuring all the transfers go smoothly, which has been challenging to say the least, especially yesterday when I was getting told by shoreside that all helo transfers were cancelled at the same time that a helicopter was telling us it was three minutes out. It became even more farcical today when we had a helo transfer for a commodore. The Aircraft was supposed to take 6 off but as the passengers were walking out it said it could only take 5 so someone on the flight deck grapped the last passenger and escorted them back to the accommodation. Only snag was that they had grapped the commodore. Needless to say a little egg on face, a few hurried calls, and he was walked back out to the aircraft as one of the Fosties was booted out.
It has not been all bad though, last Sunday we had a nice church service as we have a Chaplain onboard at the moment. We also have a RM Band on as stretcher-bearers but they brought their instruments so played all the hymns, which was lovely. Tonight they are putting on a Jazz band in the officers bar which will be well worth a listen and as we enter port tomorrow they will, as John Cleese said, ‘be marching up and down’ whilst playing us into port. Only another week until they all disembark and we get the ship back to ourselves, which will be nice, not before the RM band does a farewell concert though.
Well I hope that the next few weeks are quieter as I really don’t want another week like this one, it has been horrible, not helped by the fact that moral seems really low onboard. This definitely seems an unhappy ship at present; I only hope that this weekend’s port visit blows the malaise away and that people’s spirits start to lift again.
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